7 Things to Consider before Upgrading to Windows 7

When Windows 7 broke out into the market in 2009, people were ready to move on from the lemon that was Windows Vista. Unfortunately for Vista, most users still preferred the trusty old Windows XP. But perhaps the shift from XP to Vista burned you, so now you’re wondering whether Windows 7 is truly worth the plunge. Given the sales figures and the reviews, Windows 7 is shaping up to be a popular and dependable OS. However, before you finally decide to upgrade to Windows 7, think about these 7 things first:

What version?

There are still versions to Windows 7, so you’ll have to decide which version you’ll want to get. To name a few, there’s Home Premium version, the Professional, and the Ultimate. Pick the version that will fit your needs. One trick is to look at which version of Vista you’re using (if you’re still using Vista, that is), then get the Windows 7 version that’s the equivalent.

Which bit size?

The Windows OS come in 32- or 64-bit versions. So, check out which version your Windows OS currently has. If it’s a 64-bit version, then you’ll have to pick the 64-bit edition of Windows 7; if it’s 32-bit, you’ll pick 32. So, how do you find out which version you have? For Windows Vista, do the following: click the Start button on the lower right corner of the screen. Then, right-click on Computer. When the menu pops out, choose Properties. The specific edition will be shown underneath the Windows edition near the top. If you’re using XP, do the same thing, but look for the edition still near the top of the window, but underneath System.

What are the system requirements?

If you decide to use the 32-bit edition, your PC will need 1GB of RAM, a 1GHz processor, and 16GB worth of space on your hard drive. For the 64-bit version, you’ll need 2GB of RAM, a 1GHz processor, and 20GB worth of hard drive space.

To find out how to free up space for Windows 7, check out this article -> Is Your PC Windows 7 Ready?

Do I have Windows Upgrade Advisor?

So, let’s say you already have your system requirements. Unfortunately, there’s more to the story. To find out whether your PC is really ready for windows, you’ll need the Windows Upgrade Advisor. Find out what it is and how to use it in this article. -> Is Your PC Windows 7 Ready?

How will I install it?

You can install Windows 7 via a custom installation or an upgrade installation. If your current OS is Windows XP, you’ll have to use custom installation. With Windows Vista, you can opt for either custom or upgrade. Here’s a short guide to each kind of installation:

When you use the custom or clean installation, everything in your hard drive gets erased. To protect yourself from losing half (or more) of your data, back up all your files on a separate storage system (external hard drives, CDs, or DVDs). After you install Windows 7, transfer your files back. All your programs will also have to be reinstalled.

When you do an upgrade installation, Windows 7 simply replaces the current OS. Your files and your programs don’t get affected. One of the good things about Vista is that it allows you to do an upgrade installation to Windows 7.

Should I save data?

In short, yes. Whether you do custom installation or upgrade installation, we still recommend that you store all your data in a secure place.

What next?

Well, if you’ve been through all the six questions before this and have answered them to your satisfaction, then all you have to do now is install Windows 7. Once you do, check out our Tips and Tricks for Beginners. Get the hang of it, and sit back and enjoy the comfort of a good OS.

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